MOUNT VERNON -- It's not news that the economy is in a downturn, despite protestations from government officials. The price of gas, although it is fluctuating, is still high and continues to affect the price of many of the goods and services on which consumers depend. Food is high on the list of commodities that have risen in price.

MOUNT VERNON -- The Heart of Ohio Trail, which is planned to run from west of Centerburg to Mount Vernon, where it will hook up with the Kokosing Gap Trail, had an inspection by the Ohio Department of Transportation on Tuesday.

MOUNT VERNON -- If the price of plane tickets to Las Vegas has kept gamblers grounded, the Ohio Lottery Commission's latest offering could provide a quick fix close to home. The commission launched the numbers game Keno on Monday.

MOUNT VERNON -- Even before Linus was glued to his blanket in the Peanuts comic strip, blankets have given a feeling of warmth and security to young and old all over the world. A group of campers from the YMCA's Summer Adventure program hope to offer the same to U.S. soldiers serving overseas.

MOUNT VERNON -- Along with this summer's renewed interest in local produce comes a renewed interest in preservation of that produce for winter use.

MOUNT VERNON -- A crowd gathered at Phillips Park on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the Mount Vernon 12-year-old Little League All-Stars and their Great Lakes Region runner-up finish. Several commendations were presented to the team from Gov. Ted Strickland, State Rep. Thom Collier and the city of Mount Vernon.

MOUNT VERNON -- Recycling has been encouraged for many years as something good for the environment. Unless a community has curbside recycling, many people think it is inconvenient. Now, efforts by government and private businesses are making it easier than ever to recycle.

FREDERICKTOWN -- "It's spectacular,"Fredericktown Recreation District Director Bill Whaley said as he looked over the edge of a cliff into a river valley where the eastern branch of the Kokosing River can barely be heard and seen, as sunlight reflects on the surface.

The Mount Vernon Freshman Yellow Jackets played hard for four quarters but fell to Lexington in the last minute of the game, 22-26. MVHS varsity travels to Lexington tonight with a 7 p.m. kickoff. The junior varsity team hosts Lexington Saturday at 10 a.m.

SPARTA -- Despite a significant time of possession advantage in the second half, the Highland High School football team couldn't punch the ball in the end zone or through the uprights. The Scots fell to the Fredericktown Freddies in the 2008 high school season opener at Highland High School.

Approximately 400 East Knox students recited the pledge of allegiance as the American flag was raised this morning outside of the new middle school. It was the first day of school at East Knox.

BRINKHAVEN -- On a beautiful sunny day in the village of Brinkhaven -- or Gann, as it's officially known -- the Covered Bridge Gann Festival provided the community with music, laughter and family fun. However small the village may be, the citizens came out to support the festival, which has always been a significant event for the community. Although several years ago it started to die out, community members have joined together to relight the flame in hopes of keeping the tradition alive.

MOUNT VERNON -- The butter that once made up the famous sculptures at the Ohio State Fair is now sitting in black barrels on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University, waiting to be turned into biodiesel. All 2,500 pounds of butter used in the state fair sculptures, and also about 300 gallons of waste vegetable oil from the fair, were acquired by MVNU and will be processed into biodiesel over the next few months.

MOUNT VERNON -- Yellow Jacket Stadium proved to be just another field for the Mount Vernon High School football team on Friday night. Playing on their home field for the first time this season, the Yellow Jackets couldn't muster any magic as they fell to the Wooster Generals, 28-14.